Order Of The Secret Monitor.

ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR .

GRAND FESTIVAL . The annual meeting ol Grand Conclave was held at Freemasons' Tavern Great Queen-street , W . C , on the 17 th inst ., when there was a numerous attendance , of members of the Order . The Right Hon . the Earl of Warwick , G . S . R ., presided , and was supported by Bros . I . Zacharie , I P . G . S . R . ; Baron de

Ferrieres , VV . G . Lemon , J . Lewis Thomas , Dr . W . H . Kempster , Capt . T . C . Walls , J . J . Pakes , J . Tickle , J . J . Thomas , H . Tipper , Sir T . Wright , J . Skinner , Nelson Prower , W . R . ' . Shutt , H . P . Hay , F . S . Guy , G . W . Capel , E . Mitchell , Buckley Carr , D . Hargreaves , H . Lewis , J . Stephens , Major Penrose Dunbar , J . Marshall , A . I ' . Norton , W . J . Spratling , R . Eve , and many others .

Gnmd Conclave vvas opened , and the roll of conclaves having been called , the minutes were confirmed . The Grand Supreme Ruler was proclaimed and duly saluted . The GRAND S . RULER then addressed the brethren and expressed his great satisfaction at the honour conferred upon him by reelecting him their Grand S . Ruler . Perhaps they would allow him to address a few words to them on lhat deration . He would recall the fact that when he was installed a year ago they

were suddenly astonished by an announcement—which gave evidence of a somewhat hostile appearance , which was made by brethren who had until recentl y been members . It was si sudden that small expression of opinion was given , and very fortunately , for it would have been unfortunate if in the moment of angry astonishment any words had been uttered which they might have been sorry for and which would have disturbed that true feeling of brotherly friendship which , in his opinion , was the foundation and secret of their Order . It behoved them to

consider the situation , and , in conjunction with the Grand Officers , they thought that nothing could be better than to apply to some one of high standing in the Masonic sphere who would act as arbiter . No brother was better qualified than Lord Lathom , il he would be good enough to act . Lord Lathom when applied to very readily consented , but at the same time expressed the opinion that he had no jurisdiction , and only in the position of a friend could he endeavour to act . A statement was carefully drawn up by

Bro . Philbrick and the Grand Recorder , which was conservative in nature and to which no exception could be taken . The general principle was that the Order was one of no mean position , for many were initiated into the Order by the late Grand Secretary , Bro . Col . Shadwell Clerke . The Lord Chancellor—Bro . Lord Halsbury—was one whom they had the honour to regard as a member . On the last meeting Lord Halsbury told him most distinctly that he attended at some sacrifice to show how fully he supported them and wished to

support them . It was obvious that , recognising no supreme authority over themselves , they could not possibly sit u ider the slight which they had received and which was calculated to do harm to the Order , and therefore they endeavoured to get Lord Lathom to arbitrate . Lord Euston , with whom he ( the G . S . R . ) had always been on terms of friendship , offered to meet him , but , having referred the matier to aibitration , he thought it would not be right to enter into discussion . That was how the matter stood as they had been out of town , but he hoped it

would be settled in the course of the next few day .-. - , and as soon as a ctcision was arrived at he would take care that the- Grand Recorder sent notice of the fact to them . It was needless for him to say luty consult red themselves as great in importance as the Allied Degrees . The Order ot the Secr .-t Monitor was a powerful body in this country and also in the Colonies , where the brethren had taken a great interest in it , and he thought it was a pioud position for him to fill , to act as their G . S . K . lt was important that

there should be nothing done by himself or the Grand Ofiicers which would be antagonistic to those trut-st principles of Freemasonry which , all their lives , they had to the utmost of their ability , tried to support . He would ask , therefore , for thiir patience until a decision was pronounced , and was sure it could onl y be a reiinon taiitfacttry to themselves , and bring them in accord with those brethren fri m vtlii in , ui foiiunUely , i > t the present time , they were temporarily severed .

He hoped they would all ti . ink that he and the Grand Officers had been in no way negltcllul of their interests . Bro . W . G . LEMON said that having heard the manner in which the G . S . R . had acted for them , they would not be doing justice to their own feelings if they did not acknowledge his kindness by a ccrdial vote of thanks . The G . S . R . had done everything that a firm ruler and a wise councillor should do , and the best lhat any brother could possibly have done under the circumstances .

Bro . BARON DE FERRIERES seconded the motion , which was carried nem con . and the G . S . R ., who was heartily received , briefly acknowledged the vote . The following Grand Officers were appointed and invested :

Bro . Issachar Zacharie , M . D . ... ... ... I . P . G . S . R . „ His Honour Judge F . A . Philbrick , Q . C . ... D . R . O . „ The Right Hon . Baron Halsbury ( Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain ) ... ... ... G . Chancellor . „ Richard Eve , P . G . G . ... ... ... G . Treasurer . „ C . E . Keyser , J . P ., 5 , P . G . V .... ... ... G . Chamberlain . „ Sir T . Wright , K . B ., P . S . R . 9 ... ... G . Guide . „ T . Cook , P . S . R . 15 , P . G . C , District G . S . R . for South

Africa ... ... ... ... P . G . Guide . „ VV . J . Spratling , B . Sc , P . S . R . 2 , P . P . G . Treasurer Middlesex ... ... , ... .. G . Recorder . „ A . T . Norton , P . S . R . 2 , P . G . C ... ... ) n ... . „ John Marshall , Treas . 25 and 26 , P . G . C . ... ) U Vlsltors

-„ Major Penrose Dunbar , P . S . R . 5 , P . G . C , P . G . Std . P . G . Visitor . „ J . Stephens , S . R . 5 , P . G . Md . ... ... G . Std . Bearer . „ J . E . Green , P . S . R . 22 , P . G . C . ... ... P . G . Std . Bearer . „ H . Lewis , S . R . 9 , P . G . Std . ... ... ... G . Bow Bearer . „ J . T . Greatorex , P . S . R . 14 , P . G . Std . ... ... P . G . Bow Bearer „ Buckley Carr , S . R . 26 ... ... ... G . Gdr . „ R . Douglas Clark , P . S . R . 15 . P . G . Std ., Dep . Ruler of

the District of South Africa ... ... P . G . Gdr . „ Daniel Hargreaves , S . R . 25 , P . G . Std . ... ... ") „ W . Henry Harris , P . S . R . 15 ... ... ... f ,, „ .,, „ Edward Mitchell , S . R . 10 , P . G . Std . ... ... f Councillors . „ A , Parker McMillan , 2 7 ... ... ... ) „ H . Bannister , S . R . 27 ... ... -- } nr n ¦„ „ His Honour judge Macleod , M . A ., LL . D ., S . R . 28 ... j Councillors .

„ T . C . Edmonds ... ... ... ... G . Sentinel . ' 1 h loiiowing Grand Stewards were appointed : Bros . F . S . Guy ( President ) Major Htnry Wright , Rev . A . W . Gross , Geo . Wm . Capel , Otto Heinemann , J . ' H . Gadd , VV . Campbell Taylor , John Wood , G . F . Travers-Drapes , John Wallace Biadley , E . Goidon Sinclair , Arthur Chapman , Patrick Hehir , M . D ., Joseph WaldieJPeirson , D . R . Chichgur , David Bradley , W . Alderley Boyer , Fras . W . Maxwell , and W . Shackleton .

Grand Conclave was closed , and a banquet was afterwards held , which was attended by about 50 brethren , and was presided over by Bro . the Earl of Warwick , G . S . R . The preliminary toasts having been disposed of , Bro . I . ZACHARIE proposed " The Health of thc G . S . R ., " and said that du . ng the past year they had had reason to be proud of their Ruler .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Bro . the Earl of WARWICK , G . S . R ., said he felt very deeply the kind manner in which his name had been received . He fully recognised the great responsibilit y of being their G . S . R ., and only wished he had done his duty . He had a sincere feeling of loyalty to them and the Order , and they would give him credit for good intentions and for doing that which was right . He felt it was necessary he should say a few words to them , but he must be discreet , for up to the present time nothing had been said in public that could prejudice them in the Masonic

world . As he had previously said , he looked upon the fact that true brotherl y friendship was a principle that they should uphold . He sincerely hoped the time would come when they would be amicablyjoined together with those from whom they were now temporarily parted . The Order was auspiciously started , for many were initiated into its mysteries by Bro . Col . Shadwell Clerke , and il had been supported since by many distinguished Freemasons . The principal logic ol Freemasonry was Charity , and a body like theirs—which had its ramifications

wherever the sun shone—should see that the nag of Masonry was upheld , and in no way suffered from their connection with it . He trusted that before they next met there would be many members joining them , and that they would be more certain of their position , and that when the cloud—which was only a fleeting one—had passed away , many distinguished brethren would recognise the fact that although young , they were a powerful and increasing body that was not to be easily set aside . He would endeavour to do the best he could for the interest of the Order , and not do anything that would cast a slur or disgrace upon them .

Bro . W . G . LEMON then proposed " The Health of Bro . I . Zachene , and referred to the invaluable services rendered by that brother in the organising of the Order . Reference had been made to some who were with them , and were not now amongst them , but in the words of St . Paul— " They went out from us , because they were not of us , for they would not have departed if they had been of us . " Those who held those great principles of friendship where not to be turned aside , because some for the moment had left them .

Bro . I . ZACHARIE , P . G . S . R ., returned thanks and said the Order was now entering upon its ioth year in this country . Words could not express his gratitude to them for their kindness during the past nine years , but he felt the Order was now in the hands of a ruler who would do all that was right . Bro . BARON DS FERRIERES gave " The Grand Officers , " which was replied to by Bro . R . EVE , G . Treas . Bro . Sir THOS . WRIGHT submitted "The Grand Stewards , " for which Bro Guv , President , suitably replied .

The last toast given by the G . S . R . was " The Health of the G . Recorder , and Bro . SPRATLING having responded , the proceedings closed . Bro . H . Tipper was assisted in the musical arrangements by Miss Phyllis Hope , Miss Gertie Tipper , Messrs . Sidney Anning , and G . W . Turner .

An Oration.

AN ORATION .

The following oration was delivered by Bro . the Rev . C . C . BLUETT at the consecration of the Stanley of Preston Lodge , No . 2600 , on the 7 th ult .: We are all familiar with the test question leading to the Second Degree , " What is Masonry ? " and with the suggestive answer which the candidate to be passed is instructed to give— " That it is a peculiar system of morality , veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols "—an answer which , if duly expanded , will lead a Mason desiring light and knowledge into a train of thought at once both pleasurable

and profitable . But to the question so frequently asked— " When had Masonry its Origin ? " —We are not in a position to return an answer altogether satisfactory . There is little doubt that for years , if not for centuries , it existed as an organisation confined to workers in stone and other materials used in the erection of stately edifices , and particularly those to be dedicated to the honour , glory , and worshipof the Most High . But when and under what circumstances a religious element was first introduced into its teaching , it seems almost impossible to determine .

The knowledge we possess as to the building of the first Temple at Jerusalem , and as to the workmen who were permitted and privileged to take part in that holy work ; how they were chosen from a people under Divine government , trained and disciplined , through years of trial and tribulation , in which they were taught ever to venerate the Most High , strictly to observe and obediently to keep the Holy laws He laid down for their constant rule and guidance , all point to a combined mental and moral qualification , a standard of excellence far beyond that of

mere craft ability . Coming down to the historical , rather than the traditional , period of Masonry , we find a religious element of a certain character , and , although there is no direct acknowledgment of our Christian faith , yet in the Middle Ages , probably when those grand and noble cathedrals were erected on the Continent , France and Germany adopted a patron saint of their respective Orders , and the monks made use of this organisation amongst the skilled artizans , as they also used mere Pagan rites and ceremonies , to facilitate the propagation of their own

religious views . It was not , however , till a later date that Masonry shook off the trammels of mere craft and operative teaching and membership , and offered to the whole world a noble science for human development , which , if carried out to its fullest extent , would indeed bring about a mighty moral revolution among all nations , and secure for us , in deed and in truth , a perfect paradise here below with the blessings of peace and goodwill amongst men . Now our association , formed and perfected with so much unanimity and concord , has long been aiming at

seeking to accomplish this happy result . The very order of our established Degrees , with the distinrtive teaching of each , indicate the progressive character of the instruction given , so that the path of the truly taught Mason , which is surely the "path of the just , " shall be " as the shining light which shineth more and more unto the perfect day . " In the First Degree we seek to impress the newly-initiated with the wonder occasined by lhe mere beholding of the glorious works above and around us ; specially

the sun that rules the day , the moon and stars that govern the night , yea , all the Heavenly Host which the Glorious Architect of the Universe " hath divided into all nations under Heaven , " " For there is neither speech nor language where their voices are not heard , and as the Heavens declare the Glory of God , and trie firmament that sheweth His handy work . " Wonder cannot be suppressed , and cannot fail to deepen into veneration and awe . Passing to the Second Degree , we are yet more startled and deeply impressed , as in usiner the intellectual

faculties with which we are endowed , we learn something of the perfect laws by which the Grand Geometrician of the Universe directs , controls , and preserves in perfect order and harmony all that He has created and made . And as the rays of heaven shed their influence to enlighten us in the paths of virtue and science , so are we constrained to glorify the Supreme Governor of the Universe in regard to all His works , saying—• ' In wisdom hast Thou made them all . " On being raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason , we think of man as the crowning act 01

creative power , and we are taught therein his relationship to the Divine Being and his consequent responsibilities , so tbat he may seek to learn not only how best to live , but also how best to die , and thus lay up for himself a crown of joy and rejoicing which wilf continue when time with him shall be no more . We yet have to notice the crowning teaching of Masonry , viz ., true Charity , which aims at the dethroning and destrovinrr of mere selfishness , and the

development of the true fraternal spirit , even up to the standard of the golden rule— " doing to others as we would they should do to us . Through this beautiful ceremony it is that we enjoy blessings which seem to make life pleasurable and profitable , as the Almighty and the All Merciful Creator intended it should be . As students of nature and men of scientific knowledge arc